Haley Scott DeMaria Brings Message of Strength and Perseverance to Upper School
As part of Indian Creek’s Women's History Month speaker series, the Upper School welcomed Haley Scott DeMaria, author, motivational speaker, and former student-athlete at the University of Notre Dame, to share her powerful story of resilience and perseverance.
DeMaria began by sharing her upbringing in a highly athletic and competitive family, where sports were an expected part of life. Swimming became her focus, and by the time she arrived at the University of Notre Dame, she was a freshman on the women’s swim team and deeply committed to the discipline, goal-setting, and teamwork that competitive athletics required.
In 1992, while traveling home from a meet, the team bus hit a patch of black ice during a snowstorm and overturned. The accident left DeMaria paralyzed from the waist down. After two emergency surgeries, doctors told her she would likely never walk again. Just days later, however, she noticed her toe move—a small moment that marked the beginning of a long and challenging recovery.
Through months of rehabilitation, DeMaria worked to relearn how to walk, relying on the same determination she had developed as an athlete: setting goals, pushing through setbacks, and leaning on the support of teammates and loved ones. Her recovery was complicated by additional surgeries and the emotional toll of losing two teammates in the crash.
During her talk, DeMaria reflected on the lessons she learned through this experience, including the importance of perseverance, gratitude, and caring for one another in difficult times. She also spoke honestly about the challenge of accepting that she would never return to the exact swimmer, or person she had been before the accident.
Today, DeMaria continues to inspire audiences with her story, which she shares in her book What Though the Odds. She left students with a powerful message to remember: while life’s path may not always go as planned, the struggles we face can ultimately shape our strength, purpose, and appreciation for the journey ahead.
Indian Creek School
Indian Creek school is a co-educational, college preparatory independent school, located in Crownsville, Maryland. Students in Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a vibrant educational experience based on excellent academics steeped in strong student-teacher connections.
